Do not forget the vast array of unsung community workers serving Glasgow

Friday 16 November 2012

THE letter signed by assorted academics and practitioners protesting about the loss of 10 of 16 community work posts in Glasgow filled me with dismay (Letters, November 14).

THE letter signed by assorted academics and practitioners protesting about the loss of 10 of 16 community work posts in Glasgow filled me with dismay (Letters, November 14).

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No doubt this is happening in one department of the council, but the writers grossly misrepresented what this means on the ground.

In my experience in Glasgow communities, there are large numbers of people who are "community workers" operating across a range of council services – Glasgow Life, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, the voluntary sector, and not least amongst community groups. They generally do a fantastic and difficult job. To say that Glasgow City Council is reducing the number of community workers across the city by 62% is a grotesque misuse of numbers.

They do however have a point about the importance of community work at a time like this. If we are to deal effectively with increasing demand for public and voluntary services, with reduced public resources, and faced with unprecedented reductions in welfare benefits for those who are most in need, then communities need to be well-supported to take action to improve things for themselves.

Maybe we should all be encouraged by the election of a former community worker to a second term in the White House.

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